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Wednesday, February 03, 2010

The Philadelphia Union will be featured 17 times on national television during their inaugural season, according to the 2010 Major League Soccer schedule, announced today. Among the highlights of the MLS expansion club's first schedule are the first game of the MLS season and first in club history vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Thursday, March 25 (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes); the first game in Philadelphia vs. D.C. United on Saturday, April 10 (Fox Soccer Channel) and the first game in the soccer-specific Chester Stadium, on Sunday, June 27 (ESPN2).

"We're all quickly learning what was apparent to our supporters in the Delaware Valley from the start. The rest of the country is now catching up with how special things are here with Philadelphia Union and they want in on it," said Tom Veit, Philadelphia Union President. "The connection we have with our supporters locally is about to expand globally."

The eyes of the world will focus their attention on the Delaware Valley on Thursday, October 7, with the expected return of international stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan to MLS and the LA Galaxy.

"As we have stated from the very beginning, we will play the vast majority of our games in our new stadium," said Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner of KSE and Philadelphia Union. "It is incredibly exciting to see all of the effort and energy we've put into creating our stadium and our team to burst onto the national and international scene.

"Additionally, we're elated to play our first two matches at Lincoln Financial Field, which will enable that many more of our supporters to experience the beginning of what we're working to make sure is a long and prosperous future."

Every team in MLS will visit Philadelphia once in the 30-game regular season, and Philadelphia Union will also travel to each of the other 15 cities in MLS. Of the 17 national games, five will be on Spanish language networks, but also available to be broadcast locally via the team's broadcast partners. Local television schedule will be released later this month.

Philadelphia Union will open the 2010 MLS season, with their first ever First Kick on March 25 in Seattle vs. Sounders FC in a match televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. The club's home opener will be April 10, as Philadelphia Union hosts D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field. Tickets for games at Lincoln Financial Field will go on sale in early March. Tickets for games in Chester will go on sale later in the season.